On a steaming hot day a young kid wearing thongs, short stubbies, a terry towelling hat and undersized T-shirt eagerly perches atop his dad’s Esky on the hill of the Gabba.
Unfamiliar with and a little unnerved by the volume of invidious banter that will soon learn is commonplace as the drink accumulates and the day grows longer at the cricket, he still can’t look away from the middle of the ground, and he stands to applaud as an Englishman dispatches his soon-to-be hero, Dennis Lillee, to the boundary.
Okay, I clearly had no idea what I was doing there, but I was hooked. Test cricket was for me, and as the years passed the first day of the first Test became a pilgrimage for myself and my friends.
But as we grew older and pay cheques no longer funded weekend binges but families and mortgages, friend after friend found time too scarce to continue their joy for the game. Not me, though. My love affair continued, and I have travelled the country and the world enraptured watching the baggy greens in play.
Following the events of the last week, though, I fear that this will no longer be the case, and I’m not happy about it, not one little bit.
I want an apology because I am angry at the very real threat of losing a great love of my life.
(Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
The idea of watching the cricket now makes me feel ill. I just can’t face the notion of it. My reasons are in stark contrast to those others are contending. Due to the appalling treatment of particularly Steve Smith, I am now associating the game with so many of the worst examples of human behaviour a person can muster.
If there’s a positive to come from this, academics in the behavioural sciences now have a ready-made case study of the ease with which the media can instil mass hysteria and loathing in an unquestioning population. Let’s start with that.
Many in the media relentlessly and sensationally demonised the actual event beyond all context, deliberately whipping up public hysteria for the sole purpose of selling more copy or achieving higher ratings. Little if any care was paid to their misrepresentations or of the clearly possible consequences for the targeted ‘villains’ or their families. This simply is not of their concern.
Next for me is both tragic and depressing. The fervour and intoxicated willingness of an unquestioning, staggeringly blinkered and hypocritical, lemming-like public to embrace and progress this hysteria in an insatiable blood lust in the guise of some perceived national moral crusade.
In doing so they conveniently ignore example after example of evidence indicating that this nation’s perceived high morality and integrity is very, very different from its reality. All of this, again, while not remotely caring for the clearly possible consequences to the so-called villains and their family.
(Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
The reaction from the public beggared belief. These guys weren’t people in positions of trusted power deceiving life savings from investors, as has recently occurred in the banks. There’s a senior figure of the Catholic church currently before the courts charged with multiple historical sexual assault offences, and even he’s been subject to less media and public scrutiny.
We all hear the rhetoric of the sanctity of the dressing room, of the players being closer than blood relatives, yet not one of these teammates, past or present, has publicly stood up to defend the portrayed villains.
All are hiding from or pandering to the sensationalist, pitch-fork wielding, vile-spewing accusers instead of standing and offering, “Actually, while arguably not routine, the practice of ball tampering is not that uncommon. Perhaps you should do a little research and back off from the boys a bit.”
Brett Geeves in his Fox Sports opinion piece is the only ex-player to my knowledge to offer any truth into the relatively common and generally accepted offence in the cricket community.
All of this behaviour ultimately led of course to an experienced, match-hardened grown man whose job role would state, “Constant exposure to relentless media pressure”, to break down in tears in just that situation.
(AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)
What happened next? Many thankfully saw the wrong of their ways, but not everyone did, and those who came to the realisation are not necessarily the most influential among us.
The very same hate-mongering, irresponsible journalists opted to fake some sympathy but none suggested, “Okay, everyone should back off now and give these guys a break”. Not one admitted some form of responsibility for a human being’s breakdown or for the possible serious mental health issues ensuing.
“No, we did the right thing”, they contend. “We suggested everyone should calm down!”.
Once the hounds are released, though, they don’t simply return at a whistle. Many smell blood and they like it. The harassment of these players will slow, but it won’t stop. They will now be hounded at restaurants, at traffic lights and at shops. Their children will be bullied. Why? They had the audacity to seek a questionable advantage on a sporting field – which brings me to the arguments posed.
“Okay, but ultimately they cheated!”
Yes, guilty as charged. I agree that they deserve the full force of the cricketing law for their indiscretion, perhaps even the maximum penalty, which of course entails a one-game suspension and a fine.
Yes, the world governing body for the sport sees ball tampering as such a minor indiscretion that it warrants at the most a one-game suspension, that’s it.
Some legends of the game have been charged with this indiscretion too – the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Mike Atherton, Rahul Dravid and Waqar Younis, and of course let’s not forget that current South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has faced this penalty twice.
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“But it was planned cheating! They conspired to do it!”
Again, guilty as charged – but come on, folks, do you really believe that such behaviour is uncommon in world sport, rightly or wrongly?
Let’s look at NRL footy. Each team dedicated much of their preseason training practising and perfecting their ability to cheat – perfecting when and how to be penalised for a number of indiscretions when defending their try line, allowing them to reset their defensive structure. How is this different? It is arguably worse.
“They’ve shamed Australia’s morals and integrity!”
This one is my favourite. It’s the one that really has the bile churning in my belly. Suddenly the game that has attracted ample articles predicting its demise and irrelevance is now the litmus for a nation’s integrity.
Interesting how scratching the side of a ball is of more relevance here than, say, the overseas detention of asylum seekers, the pilfering the valuable natural resources of an impoverished neighbour, the third-world health and education conditions for our first Australians, the financial exploitation of vulnerable foreign workers – the list goes on.
No, all that is irrelevant. These guys roughed up the side of a ball. They’ve shamed us all!
Such depressing, alarming reactions and behaviours are all so horrible, and all of this is now associated in my mind with the game I’ve loved for as long as I can remember – a game that, whenever I think of it, harbours just these unpalatable, disturbing associations.
It is a game that now, thanks to this, I just cannot stomach the thought of watching. I don’t deserve this, and I want an apology.
Tex
Guest
Ta for reading and for your thoughts, I of course respect your considered opinion. In respect to your questions, yes I have played some cricket. Through juniors and senior sub-districts to grade cricket in Australia, and minor-counties in England. At all levels I have encountered and practiced ball-tampering. At junior level, the likes of u/15s perhaps, I recall the legend of spraying 1 side of the ball with Mr Sheen or the like, and then bunging the ball into the freezer overnight. I have no idea if it was remotely effective, but it was tried almost weekly and sworn-by, by team-mates. I was utterly useless at picking the seam. Lacked the fingernails perhaps. What I did find was hair-product was highly effective. Load your hair with the stuff, then after you've worked up a bit of a sweat rub your hand through your hair and use the product loaded-sweat to 'shine' the ball. It was highly effective at weighing down one side of the ball and influencing its movement through the air. In my many years loving the game, i found that tampering isn't routine, but it's very common.
mushi
Guest
“1. It does not matter if you are Indian, English , kiwi, ausssie, we all play to the same rules – society has nothing to do with it – same punishment for all , under the same rules – the we are better than x society is hypocritical” First your misguided straw man isn’t hypocritical, as you outlined a scenario where the only factual difference was having higher standards. For it to be hypocritical you need to also highlight accepted behaviour was contrary to this point. Self-important, perhaps if you’d done a better job of the straw man, but not hypocritical. It is also incredibly misguided and untrue. The teams are definitely held to different rules of law under their contracts, the codes of conduct are not uniform around the world and as media figures the positive and negative consequences of their actions are definitely viewed differently as the places they live and the places they draw their income from have completely different social norms. Also I didn’t say better, I said different. If there is literally no difference in social or legal systems between countries then identifying as “Australian” is just baffling as there is nothing that differentiates Australia in your mind. The players agree by the way as they have repeatedly declared to the world that Australia does have different standards when it comes to the behaviour of our cricketers on the field. “2.trial by media – not verdict by media – they got 12 months cause people’s feelings got hurt over the this horrific event .” Um no the verdict still came from CA. The “trial” in trial by media is the cause (as you outline) the verdict is the effect. Did “the media” influence the outcome of decision by a body entirely dependent on the media for commercial existence? Sure. Kind of like how a trial influences the outcome of judgement or verdict… “3. So when you pick up a CV , Someone applying for a job, it’s facts ? I’m yet to find an honest CV – so let’s not be hypocritical about these blokes when stretching the truth happens on a daily basis to get ahead “ So do you not worry that your response to a point which was essentially posing the question “does high grade cricket encourage people to become morally flexible and should we take that into account when looking to hire people” your response was basically “of course”. You’ve just admitted that you are inherently dishonest and surround yourself with inherently dishonest people and believe that to be the case with most cricketers, I’m assuming by your phrasing you’d consider yourself a “cricketer” at some point in your life. This is not a good thing. As to the “honest CV”. If you ever get the opportunity to seriously apply, or interview, for a positon that could potentially expose your employer to material risks… do not adopt your policy of “CV’s are meant to be dishonest”. Doing so will open to criminal charges and pretty significant personal liability. Mine is definitely honest. Every job I’ve applied for since adulthood had a rigorous fact check and multiple interviews and reference checks to test the “opinion” aspects of your CV. I am also of the view that “lying” during the recruitment process is pointless as the inevitable outcome is that you’re put in a position which you are not actual suitable for, are likely to not enjoy and have just started your work “relationship” from a position of complete dishonesty. I’d happily defend the veracity of my CV.
Ozinsa
Guest
That’s precisely what is being suggested Johnny. I’ve been through a number of views on this. I get defensive when SA or English friends decide to condescend and then I hope this is a moment for change. I’m over myself now and have decided it’s a line in the sand moment. We have a unique opportunity to change how we play cricket. Can the sledging, acknowledge opponents’ quality and skip the ball tampering. If this means we play at a disadvantage so be it. Also, maybe providing wickets that allow bowlers a fair crack solves the problem of needing to change the ball?
northerner
Guest
A true leader would have nipped this in the bud. He would have understood the potential consequences, and stopped it all cold. Further, he wouldn't have lied about it afterwards. Covering for your colleagues when they do wrong is not leadership; stopping them from doing wrong is.
Liam
Guest
You are misunderstanding what I am saying. The ICC will not do anything to jeopardize their revenue streams. Audiences want to watch the best players. Suspending players for longer than two matches will reduce the numbers of people watching and betting, which reduces revenue. Therefore, the ICC will not do anything to stop cheating, unless it is something that is precedented; match-fixing, performance enhancing drugs, or suspect actions (only over the last few years, mind). We cannot change the conduct of other nations, not in the absence of ICC bans. We can only affect our own conduct, and our own style.
David
Guest
Great article Tex Redmund. As Tim Gore graciously says, you have written exactly what my thoughts on the matter are regarding the incident, the treatment of the players and the larger problem of the media leading public opinion and the general public's reaction with thoughts, actions and emotions dictated to them. Hard to know who is more detestable, the arrogant media playing master puppeteer or the sheeplike public turning into vicious wolves, all with scarce knowledge inversely proportional to what they profess.
JimmyB
Guest
Atherton was.
Matt Davies
Guest
Not exactly. An endemic practice of ball tampering tacitly condoned by everybody which Warner took one step farther. CA is now trying to demonize this extra step while not acknowledging the underlying problem
Rugby is Life
Guest
Great article. Thank you. I have been so frustrated by the furore and by the poor, poor approach of CA. The person with the greatest integrity has been Steve Smith. CA were totally lacking in real leadership. Oddly they can send demeaning emails to media executives but show no backbone in public.
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
No way was that genuine contrition Mango.
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
Schapelle did it much better than Steve.
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
Unlike a decent wine Johnno, you aren't improving with age.
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
Did you read what you wrote Brendon? Winning WITHIN the rules old sport, WITHIN...
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
Wow, an out of control Warner. That's neat and tidy woohoo, the rest of us are in the clear...
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
Lol
DaveJ
Guest
Exactly right Matt. Twenty times previous tampering punishments not for lying to the public and denying the offence, but misrepresenting the details. But if they’d said straight out it was sandpaper that would have reduced the offence by how much? Hard to make any sense of it. Likewise, misleading the umpire. If they’d fessed up would that have knocked 6 months off? Doubt it. It was the whole messy look of the thing, including the so-called “premeditation”, plus the media and social media frenzy, and fears about the impact on TV rights negotiations that led to the extreme penalties. But nothing to do with natural justice. You can tell that Peever and Sutherland are accountants, not lawyers.
Malo
Guest
Australia , like China and Russia are the great cheats in world sports . Our reputation has been seriously tarnished. It was a fair outcome. We have a win at all costs mentality that makes us bad sports. Smith a blubbering baby has further made us a laughing stock in world sport.
dave
Guest
Australians are very lucky. Running drinkable water,Medicare,Superannuation,job opportunities and a welfare system. So many countries would love just a fraction of this life but despite being such a large country our immigration policies are some of the toughest in the world. We have teenagers on the dole smoking pot even though there are plenty of jobs available while in other countries these teenagers would be happy to have a decent meal everynight. This situation doesn't seem to cause much shame embarrassment or moral outrage in the average Aussie. Scratching up a ball in a game of cricket on the other hand has seemed to stir up a fair bit of outrage. Opening up our borders to allow some other countries to enjoy some of our lucky life also causes a lot of outrage.
Matt Davies
Guest
Concur fully. The charge by CA that they misled the public seems to suggest that they somehow tried to minimize the offence during the press conference. That while sandpaper would be a no-go, sticky tape with dirt was somehow OK. I do not understand the difference. Is the offence not the same whether it was conducted with sticky tape or with sandpaper?
MH01
Guest
1. It does not matter if you are Indian, English , kiwi, ausssie, we all play to the same rules - society has nothing to do with it - same punishment for all , under the same rules - the we are better than x society is hypocritical 2.trial by media - not verdict by media - they got 12 months cause people’s feelings got hurt over the this horrific event . 3. So when you pick up a CV , Someone applying for a job, it’s facts ? I’m yet to find an honest CV - so let’s not be hypocritical about these blokes when stretching the truth happens on a daily basis to get ahead .